Labeotropheus
| Labeotropheus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Blue mbuna, (L. fuelleborni) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Subfamily: | Pseudocrenilabrinae |
| Tribe: | Haplochromini |
| Genus: | Labeotropheus C. G. E. Ahl, 1926 |
| Type species | |
| Labeotropheus fuelleborni Ahl, 1926 | |
Labeotropheus is a small genus of cichlid fish endemic to Lake Malawi in eastern Africa. It includes at least two species, each with a number of subspecies or races. Further taxonomic work is required to determine how many species exist. These cichlids are popular ornamental fish and are ideally suited to the cichlid aquarium. Like many Malawi cichlids, Labeotropheus species are algal grazers.
Species
There are currently two recognized species in this genus:[1]
- Labeotropheus fuelleborni C. G. E. Ahl, 1926 (Blue mbuna)
- Labeotropheus trewavasae Fryer, 1956 (Scrapermouth mbuna)
In the aquarium
Like all cichlids from Lake Malawi these cichlids are best maintained in hard, alkaline water. Labeotropheus are best kept in aquariums with volumes greater than 120 l (31.5 gallon). The aquarium should be decorated with rocks, although caves can also be easily created from terracotta pots.
References
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Wikispecies has information related to: Labeotropheus |
- ↑ Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2013). Species of Labeotropheus in FishBase. February 2013 version.
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